This statement sets out my personal philosophical belief as it relates to sex, gender identity, and associated ideological positions. I make this statement in the interests of transparency and clarity. I regard it as essential that anyone I work with—whether professionally, socially, or in any other context—understands that I hold these views sincerely and expect them to be respected in line with the protections afforded by the Equality Act 2010. These beliefs satisfy the Grainger criteria (Grainger plc v Nicholson [2010]) as they are genuinely held, concern fundamental aspects of life, are cogent and serious, and are worthy of respect in a democratic society.
The Philosophical Basis of My Belief
My worldview is shaped by the Pragmatic philosophical tradition associated with thinkers such as John Dewey, William James, Herbert Blumer, and Richard Rorty. This tradition emphasises human agency, experience, and dialogue over deterministic or doctrinaire systems. It is a philosophy that resists ideological rigidity and recognises that meaning arises through interaction and inquiry, not through the imposition of abstract dogma.
This perspective is reinforced by the insights of Carl Jung, whose psychological work combined empirical observation with a profound engagement with symbolism, myth, and the collective unconscious. Jungian depth psychology and Symbolic Interactionism inform my understanding that identity—while embedded in social processes—cannot be reduced to ideological constructs. They also equip me to engage critically and imaginatively with complex personal and cultural questions without capitulating to homogenised or authoritarian thinking.
Commitment to Academic and Civic Freedom
I am a supporter of the Free Speech Union because I hold the liberal principle that freedom of thought, belief, and conscience is indispensable to a democratic society. I also support Academics for Academic Freedom, as I regard heterogeneity of thought as a bulwark against the corrosive effects of parasitic ideological cultures and groupthink. Without open inquiry and robust debate, intellectual and civic life becomes narrow and brittle, undermining the public good.
My Position on Sex, Gender Identity, and Associated Ideologies
- I do not have a gender identity. I am a male homosexual.
- I do not identify as “queer” and regard this term to be offensive, nor do I affiliate with the TQI+ framework, which I regard as culturally constructed and politically motivated.
- I believe that sex is binary, biological, and immutable. This is a matter of material reality and is foundational for rights, protections, and equality under law.
- I am willing to explore the psychological, symbolic, and mythological dimensions of gender identity as cultural phenomena and as aspects of individual experience. However, these do not alter biological facts or legal definitions.
- I do not consider Gender Self-ID to be legitimate social policy, as it undermines sex-based rights, erodes women’s protections, and conflates sexual orientation with subjective feelings of gender.
- I support the Equality Act 2010, as clarified by the UK Supreme Court, which affirms that sex and sexual orientation are biological realities and that proportionate sex-based distinctions are lawful and necessary.
- I reject the legitimacy of “unconscious bias” training and similar ideological models, which I consider pseudoscientific and coercive. Individuals should act in accordance with personal conscience and accountability, not ideological compliance.
- I have disengaged from much of the contemporary “gay community”, which I experience as perpetuating stereotypes and regressive behaviours under the guise of liberation.
- I avoid association with Pride campaigns, which I consider unnecessary for securing rights already protected in law and often reduced to performative virtue signalling.
Why I Make This Statement
I do so to make clear that these beliefs are not opinions formed casually, nor are they motivated by hostility. They reflect a coherent and consistent philosophical worldview, rooted in democratic values, empirical reasoning, and psychological insight. They are integral to how I understand and act in the world. Any organisation, collaborator, or service user engaging with me should understand that:
- I will support others who share these beliefs in expressing them publicly.
- I will expect an environment that avoids unlawful characterisations of such beliefs as “bigotry” or “dog whistles.”
- I am open to respectful dialogue grounded in mutual understanding and legality.
This is not a manifesto for division. It is a call for honesty, clarity, and the protection of intellectual and civic freedoms that allow diverse views to coexist within the framework of the law.
Associations
I am a member of the Labour Party, supporting LGB Labour. I am a supporter of LGB Alliance, Sex Matters, and Seen in Journalism, organisations committed to defending reality-based rights, sex-based protections, and journalistic integrity. I value their work in countering ideological capture and safeguarding pluralistic public debate.
I hold these beliefs sincerely, and they form a central aspect of my ethical and intellectual life. They are not contingent on fashion or ideology, but on principles that underpin liberal democracy: the rule of law, freedom of thought, and the dignity of truth-seeking.